Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal Treatment:

Bye Bye Tooth pain!

Tooth ache is one of the most common dental emergencies. When you have a tooth ache, it can keep you awake at night and it can can be so overwhelming that it prevents you from doing your daily activities. Not every tooth ache leads to tooth extraction. The best way to avoid a tooth ache is prevent it before it starts, however Root Canal Treatment (RCT) can come to rescue to save the tooth and provide relief.

Dr. Shivani Patel and the team at Grand Central Dentistry in Conroe,TX are specifically trained in RCT and are here to get you OUT of pain. Patients often ask, ‘How painful is a root canal?’ The pain associated is that of the infected tooth and not the treatment itself. RCT helps to relieve the pain and save your teeth. We set the tone right from the start with advanced anesthesia techniques and calming amenities. Our team will take care of you and put you at ease right from the start!

When is Root Canal Therapy needed?

Root Canal Treatment or Endodontic therapy is needed when the pulp of the tooth is infected. The most common causes of pulp inflammation or infection are a cracked or chipped tooth, a deep cavity or filling, or other serious injury to the tooth. All of these can lead to irreparable damage to the pulp. The pulp of the tooth is where the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth live. When the nerves and blood vessels get invaded with bacteria, it causes irreversible damage and infection.

Here is a step by step guide of what to expect during RCT

Dr. Patel will first numb the tooth so that you don’t feel anything during the procedure.

A small shield known as rubber dam will be placed on the tooth. This isolates the tooth keeping it dry and clean.

The infected tooth structure is removed using burs and files.The root canals are cleaned and shaped. Disinfecting solutions are used to clean the root canals and flush out the bacteria and debris.

Next, the root canals are filled and sealed and a temporary filling is placed in the tooth to prevent contamination of the root canals.

After the symptoms of the tooth subside, the temporary filling is replaced with a final permanent restoration called a build up.The tooth is then protected and covered with a crown to restore its function and aesthetics.

After care of root canal

After your procedure wait until the numbness in your mouth wears off before eating so you won’t bite your cheek or tongue. Don’t chew or bite down on the treated tooth until it is fully restored with a crown to avoid damaging it.

To protect the tooth and keep the temporary filling in place, avoid eating hard or sticky food (such as gum), and try to chew on the other side of your mouth.

It is normal to experience some discomfort after a root canal procedure. To control discomfort, take any pain medication prescribed by the dentist as recommended. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them as directed, even if all signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Taking ibuprofen before the numbness wears off can greatly reduce post-operative pain.

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is absolutely important. We cannot stress enough on the importance of your hygiene routine which involves brushing twice a day and daily flossing.